Pushing the boat out in Champagne country

So you feel like a luxury cruise through the vineyards of Champagne? 

There are six of your wanting to sit back and relax on a brand new barge exploring some of the most picturesque waterways in France.

Oh, and money is no object.

Let me introduce you to Coquelicot, a new vessel from Belmond (formerly Orient-Express Hotels) to be launched in May next year.

This ultra-luxe barge is part of the Bateaux Belmond fleet and has just three cabins. It offers a selection of exclusive experiences in the Champagne region.

The Coquelicot is being launched in partnership with the world’s oldest Champagne house - Maison Ruinart - and guests will be treated to a private five-course tasting lunch matched with Champagnes.

They will also enjoy access to the 18th-century Taissy vineyard and learn all about Maison Ruinart.

Fully crewed Coquelicot will have just three glam cabins, all with marble en suite bathrooms. The interiors are designed by rockstar duo Humbert and Poyet.

The newly refurbished craft will also feature an indoor salon, a large deck, and a Champagne bar.

Guests can craft their own itinerary. Perhaps whether they want an art-focused tour of Champagne, an active adventure, or a series of epicurean visits.

And, of course, the boat has its own private chef, as well as a sommelier.

The cost to charter the barge for a week is an eye-watering  €82,000 ($129,500). 

See www.belmond.com if your numbers come up.   

An experiment: Will fine spirits age better when stored on the water?

Will fine spirits age better when stored on the water?

French company Maison Ferrand's newly operational Barge 166 will be used to conduct "dynamic aging" experiments on spirits.

Maison Ferrand has the world’s first floating ageing cellar, BARGE 166, on the banks of the Seine just outside Paris. The vessel will house premium rum, whisky and Cognac.

A 73-year-old river barge is the new home to around 1500 barrels of fine spirits.

The canal boat is located on the river bank in the Paris suburb of Issy-les-Moulineux.

It is the culmination of two years of research and development by the Cognac-based fine spirits producer, Drinks Business reported.

The project involved a complete structural rebuild of the vessel in order to make room for the barrels. The boat’s engine had to be removed.

As well as Maison Ferrand’s own cognac and rum, Barge 166 will age collaborations with select spirits partners including Mackmyra Swedish Whisky.

The barrels will be studied closely to analyse the impact of dynamic ageing in the boat’s very humid cellar, which is expected to see significant temperature variations. Consumers will also be able to buy and personalise a barrel.

The Freycinet-style barge has been designed to house approximately 1,500 custom-made 30-litre barrels.